Major Airports

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is known as the (New) Bangkok International Airport. The airport opened for domestic and international flights in 2006 after three decades of planning. Located in the Bang Phli district in the Samut Prakan Province, the airport is 25 km east of downtown Bangkok. It has two parallel runways and two parallel taxiways that allow for simultaneous landings and takeoffs making it one of the busiest airports in Asia with up to 76 flight operations per hour. BKK is also the home of the world’s tallest control tower and the third largest single-building airport terminal. The Suvarnabhumi Airport can be accessed by car through five main access routes the most convenient of which is through the Bangkok Chon Buri Motorway or Highway No. 7. There are taxis and flat-fare limousines for hire and train service is available through the SRT although their operation will be stopped once the Suvarnabhumi Airport Express, a high speed rail link, is completed. The airport also operates four airport express bus routes to downtown Bangkok and there are 12 city bus routes run by Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), which offer a much cheaper fare. The airport serves a hub for airline companies such as Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Orient Thai Airlines, PBair and Thai AirAsia.

Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is also known as the (Old) Bangkok International Airport. It used to serve as the base for the Royal Thai Air Force. Its operation had been stopped due to the opening of the New Bangkok International Airport however problems with the new airport made them resume flights. Currently, only Terminal 3 is open for domestic flights and Terminals 1 and 2, which had been used for international flights before the opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport, are not active in operations now. The main route taken from downtown Bangkok to the airport is through the Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. Another option would be to take the Uttaraphimuk Elevated Tollway, right above the Vibhavadi Rangsit, which offers a faster commute into the city and connects to the inner city expressway network in Bangkok. A rail service also connects Hua Lamphong Station, right in the heart of Bangkok to the highway right across the airport and passengers can pass to the walkway bridge to get into the airport. An amazing feature in the Don Mueang International Airport is that the golf course of the Royal Thai Air Force is located right between its two runways. Since there is no separation between the runway and the course, golfers are warned with a red light if an incoming plane is about to land.

More Information

Bangkok has been recognized by Travel and Leisure magazine as the best tourist destination in Asia. A lot of foreigners love to travel around the city and tour historical sites such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Bangkok also boasts of its shopping areas from street markets to luxury malls located all around the city where one can choose from a wide array of options and get the best deals for their money.